"The proper way to ask for time to mount a defense is a motion to the court."
Doesn't that require proper representation, which he had trouble getting? Moreover, doesn't that only apply in specific cases, which as a third-party to this whole mess didn't necessarily apply to him?
Well he did retain counsel[1], and they did file things with the court. Whether they were competent is another matter, and whether he had standing to intervene is a third. But I think we can all agree that handing over the key in four-point font is holding contempt for the court, and judges aren't stupid. He can complain all he wants, but the only person responsible for the consequences for him is himself.
[1] I have no evidence of this, but I suspect the reason he had trouble finding counsel is that he was asking them to play games with the court, which a smart lawyer will refuse to do.
Doesn't that require proper representation, which he had trouble getting? Moreover, doesn't that only apply in specific cases, which as a third-party to this whole mess didn't necessarily apply to him?